Stoker



April 20, 1937. w. "r. HANNA STOKER Original F iled Nov. e,' 192s 3 Sheets- Shale; 1'

RM. n mu H m m m V H W m w z MS fi J a W o .m 6. I if April 20, 1937. w; T. HANNA STOKER Original Filed Nov. 6, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5: g 51% I E p 1937'- w. T. HANNA 2,077,791

STOKER Original Filed Nov. 6, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Il/z'llz'azrz maize W022 flan/2a Patented A r. 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE s'roxnn William Thompson Hanna, Cincinnati, Ohio Application November 6, 1928, Serial No. 317,621

Renewed January 24, 1935 v 12 Claims. (01. 110-101) toward the right hand or left hand sides thereof a as desired. Another object-of the invention is to provide fuel conveying means which comprises a plurality of conveyors individuallyconnected to driving means externally of the conduits in which the conveyors operate. v

1. Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor to feed fuel to the crushing device, vsaid conveyor being powerdriven through a connection at its deliveryend, thereby obtaining greater efliciency in the power applied to drive the conveyor due to the fact that its action is thus that of pulling instead of pushing as is ordinarily the case wherein a conveyor. is

driven at its receiving end.

- These and other advantages are attained by the means described in the following specifica- 5 tions and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein: r

Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a'stoker mechanism embodying this invention and taken substantialiy on a longitudinal center line.

3o Fig. 21s a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1'.

Fig. 3 is-a front elevation in section of a portion of the mechanism which controls the direction of movement of fuel-as it passes through 35 the firing opening and is taken substantially on a line H, Fig. l:

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a pdrtion of the specific mechanism referred to in the reference to Fig. 3. M

Fig. 5 is an external view of the 'entire stoker mechanism as viewed from the side opposite 'to Fig. l. v

,Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the members shown in Fig. 3 which serves to control 45 the direction of movement of the fuel as it passes through the firing opening.

In the drawings the back-head of a locomotive fire-box is represented by the numeral iii, the fire-box having the usual grate bars Ii and 50 firing opening 12. Embracing said opening 'and rigidly mounted on the outer face of the backhead is a fuel .supply housing i3 which is provided with a 'delivery opening |3b coincidingsubstantially with the firing opening 12. Sub- 55 stantially in alignment with the opening is-e the opposite wall of said housinsds an opening l3-c which is embraced by a conventional form of fire-door plate i4, having an opening i4-a which serves as a fire-door opening, and upon which plate may be mounted the usual automatic .flre door (not shown), such as for example the Franklin butterfly type.

The housing I; is arranged so that the lower side of the opening l-3-b can be established in the form of a straight horizontal line or in the form of a V, with each side of the V arranged so as to be adjustable individually to various inclinations. This result may be accomplished inyarious" ways. but in this instance I have shown adjustable members l5 and it each partially conical in form having facets IS- -a and lS-b a'nd i6-a and l6-b respectively. The members l5 and it are substantially alike in form and arranged relative to the firing opening as shown in Fig. 2. Each of said members is pivotally mounted in the side walls of the housing. i3 and may be set in various angular positions by means of operating handles l1 and i8 rigidly secured to shafts i9 and 20 attached to the respective members. Each of the handles I! and i8 is provided with an indexing sector-2| which is engaged by a spring-pressed retaining pawl 22, pivotally mounted on the housing l3, tohold the members i5 and I6 securely in any one of a plurality of angular positions, but the retainingdevice here shown is merely one of the expediencies,

as it is obvious that the angular position of the members l5 and l 6 may be fixed in adjusted position and by any suitable mechanism.

When the members l5 and iii are set in the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3, the facets I5-a and l6a are in a horizontal plane, thus constituting in effect a horizontal shelf or ledge over which the fuel flows as it approaches the firing opening and thus the fuel is evenly distributed throughout the width of the .fire-box. If, however, the members it and. it are adjusted angularly so that each occupies the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, a V is formed which has the effect of directing a preponderance of fuel toward the center of the fire-box. On-the other hand, if only the member I5 should be adjusted to the position shown in dotted lines, a preponderance of fuel would be directed toward the left hand side of the fire-box and vice versa if only the member It were so adjusted. Thus variations in the angular positions of members i5 and It will produce variable results in thedistribution of the fuel over the fire-bed.

Between the members l5 and It, a section ll-d of the wall of the housing I3 is so arranged that it is substantially in alignment with the facets l5'b and l'6--b when the members i 5 and I6 are in the position shown, thus forming, with these facets, a. trough or chute over which the fuel moves preliminarily to its passage over-the facets l5a and lG-a.

The lower portion of the housing I3 is arranged in the form of a cylindrical conduit l3- e which surrounds the delivery end of a conveyor 23, the. main portion of which is rotatively supported in a conduit 24 forming part of a subhousing 24.a rigidly secured to the housing I3 and having an opening substantially flush with the deck 25 of the locomotive, through which fuel may be hand-fed directly to the conveyor 23 if desired. Positioned within the sub-housing 24-a is the delivery end of a conveyor 26 which is rotatively supported in a housing or conduit 21, the forward end of which has a universal connection with the sub-housing, 24a below the deck of the locomotive. The opposite end of the conduit 21 is slidably surrounded by a member 28 which is arranged to have a universal connection with a housing or conduit 29 rigidly secured, to the front face of the tender hopper 30.

The design and construction of-the housing or conduit 29 is of such a character that the crosssectional area of the chamber within said conduit increases from the entrance at the tender hopper end to the portion which surrounds the member 28. Thus the fuel passing through the conduit is offered greater freedom as it approaches the conveyor 26 with the result that the tendency of the fuel to pack is minimized.

The tender hopper 30 is preferably in the form of a trough and is mounted in any suitable manner uponthe tender 3|, and in this instance is preferably arranged to incline toward the delivery end. Above the tender hopper 36 is the usual tender deck 3I-a arranged so as to permit various areas thereof to discharge fuel into said hopper. Rotatively supported within the trough of the tender hopper 39 is a conveyor 32 which has its delivery end partially surrounded by a crushing member 33 which may be of any suitable character, but in this instance is shown as being rigidly secured to the inside front face of the tender hopper. The hub portion of the conveyor 32 is extended beyond the delivery end thereof and has a universal connection with the shaft 34 journaled in the wall of the conduit 29, and the opposite end of the conveyor is preferably confined in the trough. by means of a retaining plate 35 rigidly secured to the trough 39.

The operating mechanism for the conveyors 23, 26 and 32 may be of any suitable character, but in this instance I have shown it as comprising a power-device in the form of a steam motor 36 like that disclosed in my U. S. Patent No. 1,577,462 in which the primary transmission element comprises a rack and pinion and it is this form of primary transmission element that I prefer to have embodied in the power device for operating a stoker of the character described herein, but it will be understood that other forms of transmission element may also be used'eifectively.

The'power-device 36 is operatively connected with the conveyor mechanism by means of a suitable shaft 3'! universally connected at one end to the power-device and similarly connected at its opposite end with a shaft 38 suitably supported for rotation on the tender hopper. A gear 39 is rigidly secured to the shaft 38 and meshes with a gear 40' rigidly secured to a shaft 4| suitably journaled on the conduit 29. The gear 39 also meshes with a gear 42 rigidly secured to the shaft in my co-pending application, Serial No. 94,499,

filed August 6, 1936.

The power-device, of whatever character, preferably should be provided with a control lever such as the lever 48 for starting and stopping rotation of the conveyors.

Such a stoker is preferably provided with.

means to more efficiently distribute the coal .after it has passed through the firing opening l2 and for this purpose, I prefer a blast chamber of suitable type as 49 and a distributor plate 50 positioned at the entrance of the firebox immediately below the delivery openin'g l3--b of the housing I3. I

It will be understood that the invention may be variously'modified and embodied within the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:- A 1. In a stoker mechanism for a locomotive and tender, in combination, fuel transfer mechanism located below the deck of a locomotive tender, a conveyor arranged to receive the fuel from said transfer mechanism and convey it to said locomotive, a housing having an aperture through which fuel may be received from the delivery end of said conveyor, means within said housing arranged to receive the fuel passing through said aperture and adapted to force said fuel through thefiring opening of the locomotive, said housing including. a bottom wall having a plurality of tiltable sections adapted to form an adjustable ledge within said housing adjacent said firing opening whereby fuel passing thereover may be directed to the center of said firing opening or deflected to one side or the .other thereof, and a distributor plate to receive the fuel from said housing.

2. In a stoker mechanism, in combination, a fire box having a firing opening, a fuel supply housing embracing said opening, a fuel tender, fuel crushing means mounted on said tender and including-a conveyor, a power device operatively connectedto said conveyor at its delivery end, transfer mechanism for transporting fuel from said conveyor to said housing, tiltable sections mounted in the floor of said housing adjacent said firing opening whereby the fuel passing thereover may be directed to the center of said firing opening or deflected to one side or the other thereof, and a distributor plate in said firing opening to receive the fuel from said housing. g

3. In a stoker mechanism, in combination, a fire box having a firing opening, a fuel supply housing, conveying means for moving fuel from a source of supply to and through said housing, and adjustable means including rockable members arranged within said housing adjacent said firing opening, said rockable members forming at least a portion of the fuel supporting surface of said housing, whereby fuel passing through said housing passes over said rockable; members and may be directed'towarda'the center of said opening or deflected to one side or thelothr 35 thereof by adjusting the positions of said rockable members.

4. In combination with a fire box having a firing opening, a stoker mechanism comprising a fuel supply housing having a delivery opening communicating with said firing opening and including a bottom wall for supporting fuelsupplied thereto; a conduit communicating with said housing for feeding fuel to and through said housing; fuel-directing means in said housing including movable members mounted in said bottom wall and forming a part of the fuel supporting surface thereof; and means for adjusting said members to change the angle of the fuel supporting surfaces thereof with respect to the bottom wall, whereby the flow of fuel through said housing may be directed.

5. In combination with a fire box having a firing opening, a stoker mechanism, comprising a fuel supply housing having a delivery opening communicating with said firing opening and including a bottom wall for supporting fuel supplied thereto; a conduit communicating with said housing for feeding fuel to and through said housing; fuel-directing means insaid housing including movable members mounted in said bottom wall and forming part of the fuel supporting surface thereof; and means for adjusting said members to change the angle of the fuel supporting surfaces thereof with respect to the bottom wall, whereby-the fiow of fuel through said housing may be directed.

6. In combination with a fire box having a firing opening, a stoker mechanism, comprising a fuel supply housing having a delivery opening communicatingwith said firing opening .and

including a bottom wall for supporting fuel sup-- plied thereto; nieans communicating with said housing for feeding fuel to and through said housing; fuel-directing means in said housing including movable members mounted in said housing and forming a part of the fuel support- I ing surface of said bottom wall; and means for adjusting said members to change the angle of the fuel supporting surfaces thereof with respect to the bottom .wall, whereby the flow of fuel through said housing may be directed.

7. In combination with a fire box having a.

firing opening, a stoker mechanism, comprising a fuel supply housing having a delivery opening communicating with said firing opening and including a bottom wall for supporting fuel supplied thereto; the lower edge of said delivery opening constituting in effect a ledge over which the fuel flows in moving from said housing into said firingopening; ,a conduit. communicating with said housing for feeding fuel to and through said housing; fuel-directing means in said.housing including movable members mounted. in said housing and forming a part of the fuel supporting surface thereof, and means foradiusting said members to change the effective height of said ledge whereby the flow of fuel through said housing may be-directed;

8. In combination with a fire box having a firingopening. 8, stoker mechanism, comprising a fuel-supply housing having a delivery opening communicating with said firing opening and including a bottom wall for supporting fuel supplied thereto; a conduit communicating with said housing for feeding fuel to and through said housing; fuel-directing means in said housing including movable members mounted in said bottom wall, and resembling a frustum of a pyramid.

some of'the faces of said members forming a part of the fuel supporting surface of said bottom wall; and means for adjusting said members to change the angle of said faces with respect to the bottom wall, whereby the fiow of fuel through said housing may be directed.

9. In combination with a locomotive and tender, a stoker mechanism comprising a fuel supply housing having a delivery opening communicating with the fire box of said locomotive, .and including a bottom wall for supporting fuel supplied thereto; a conduit communicating with said housing for supplying fuel thereto, said conduit having a receiving opening at its receiving end; a conveyor for moving fuel from said tender to said locomotive, and communicating with the receiving opening of said conduit; and a passage communicating with the fioor of said locomotive and said receiving opening whereby fuel may be supplied to said conduit manually and/or by said conveyor; fuel-directing means in said housing including movable members mounted in said housing and forming a part of the fuel supporting surface of said bottom wall; and means for adjusting said members" to change the angle of the fuel supporting surfaces thereof with respect to the bottom wall, whereby the flow of fuel through said housing may be directed.

10. In combination with a fire box having a firing opening, a stolier mechanism, comprising a fuel supply, housing havinga delivery opening communicating with said firing opening and including a bottom wall for supporting fuel supsurfaces thereof with respect to the bottom wall,

whereby the flow of fuel through said housing may be directed; and means for retaining said manually operable means in any adjusted position.

11 In a stoker mechanism, in combination, a fire box having a firing opening, a source of fuel, a conduit for conveying said fuel to said firing opening, said conduit expanding as it joins said firing opening, adjustable fuel guiding means pivotly mounted in the expanded portion of said conduit and the upper portions thereof serving as fuel supporting surfaces, and manually operable meansfor pivoting said fuel guiding means about their longitudinal axes to rotate said means to change the angular relationship of said upper portions with respect to the floor of said conduit.

12. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a firing opening, of a consurface, the angle of which with respect to the horizontal is changeable by tilting the said means to change the direction of the fiow of fuel to said distributing means.

THOMPSON HANNA. 

